THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, June 19, 1994 TAG: 9406170270
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 04 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY LARRY W. BROWN, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: 940619 LENGTH: Long
But Wendy proved her doctors wrong. Bit by bit, she emerged from the depths of her coma and her condition improved. Days passed. Then weeks and months, and Wendy began to walk and speak, remember songs and names and partially regain her vision. Her recovery was called a miracle.
{REST} She overcame the first set of hurdles, but her doctors, family and friends knew she had a long way to go. No one knew if the second-grader would ever be able to regain her losses and lead a normal life.
Ten days ago, Wendy, now 20, graduated from the Special Education program at Princess Anne High School, dispelling the doubts from 13 years ago and completing a long journey to finish her public schooling. Despite some of the obstacles she still must endure, she is looking nowhere but forward.
Sitting together on a couch in their Back Bay home, Wendy and her mother reflected on the hardships and triumphs their family has faced. ``I firmly believe we wouldn't have come half the distance without God,'' said Diana Thomas, 38.
``God helped me through,'' Wendy said, placing her hand on her mother's shoulder, ``but the parents came in second.''
Wendy's accident occurred in June 1981, and she was not able to return to school until September 1982.
Wendy's achievement has been an inspiration to her family. She lives at home with her parents, Diana and Woody, and 17-year-old brother, Benny. ``Woody says when he is out in 95-degree weather laying brick, all he has to do is think about Wendy and how hard she works, and it gives him that push to keep going,'' Diana Thomas said.
Wendy's brunette hair is cropped at the neck and every so often she fiddles with her silver watch. With her bare feet, blue shorts and multicolored print shirt, she is ready to relax.
``This is something we thought would not happen,'' Diana Thomas said of her daughter's graduation. ``To see this happen has been overwhelming.''
Pam Doyle, who taught Wendy for three years in the Multiple Disabilities classroom at Princess Anne, said Wendy's determination helped her succeed.
``She always had a positive and cheery attitude,'' Doyle said. ``She has learned to compensate for her problems and has been able to overcome them.''
In addition to primary subjects such as math, English and science, special education students are taught in a ``functional classroom setting,'' Doyle said, where they also learn vocational skills and life activities, such as banking and shopping.
In addition, Wendy has been involved in the school's work program. During high school, she has worked at T.J. Maxx, Haynes Furniture, the Central Library and in the Virginia Beach Municipal Center.
``These jobs have helped her to find out things she likes,'' Doyle said. ``The school has always been willing to work with the parents to set up programs to fit her needs.'' This summer Wendy will begin training in the office at the Sugar Plum Tree Bakery.
Wendy has little use of her right side and walks with a limp. She also cannot see out of her left eye. However, Wendy can dress herself, wash her hair, bathe and tie her shoes with her left hand. ``She can handle herself totally,'' her mother said. She sees a doctor once a year for a check-up and her vision and comprehension are improving each year.
``For many years she fell between the cracks of special education,'' Diana Thomas said. ``It was very difficult trying to make the school system realize that a head injury and a disability from birth are very different.''
Wendy works constantly to improve her vision and motor skills. Diana Thomas said the family uses different techniques to help her.
``Benny is great for Wendy,'' her mother said. ``He tells her to do things on her own. He doesn't cut her any slack and pushes her and makes her go that extra mile.''
Wendy's relationship with her brother also has helped her social life, and many of his friends have become hers, Diana Thomas added.
``Out here they're real good at helping out,'' Wendy said. ``I don't know what I'd do without my friends.''
Wendy loves to shop, go to the mall with her friends and travel. Like other high school graduates, she is looking forward to a summer of sleeping late and going to the beach. Her true love is country music. She's a die-hard Ronnie Milsap fan. ``He's so good,'' she said.
Diana Thomas said the family has learned a lot since Wendy's accident and during her recovery especially about prejudice. Wendy said she sometimes is the victim of whispers and stares. ``Some people can be downright rude,'' she said.
``Everyone has a handicap,'' Diana Thomas said. ``They might be the most hateful person on Earth and that's their handicap. And then there are the one's that are visible. Those, like Wendy, are the ones with the biggest hearts.''
by CNB